Submersible aerator

Abstract

A submersible aerator apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses injected air to create both aeration and mixing of a liquid. The apparatus is submersible and may be lowered into a container holding a liquid with suspended and coagulated solids. Air supplied to the apparatus is injected into the liquid which results in an upward flow of air bubbles and entrained liquid. This action mixes and aerates the liquid. A method of using a submersible air-injection aerator is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
       1. A submersible aerator apparatus, comprising:
 a. an elongated cylindrical outer housing having an open upper end and an open lower end; 
 b. an air supply hose that enters the apparatus through the open upper end of the cylindrical outer housing and that terminates at a point near the open lower end of the cylindrical outer housing, but within the cylindrical outer housing; 
 c. at least two baffle plates positioned within the cylindrical outer housing such that a primary surface of each baffle plate is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical outer housing and each baffle plate is spaced at least two inches from all other baffle plates, and wherein,
 i. each baffle plate has a semi-circular outer surface that is configured for connection to the cylindrical outer housing and a straight-cut outer surface that is not in contact with the cylindrical outer housing, with the result being an open flow path between the straight-cut outer surface of each baffle plate and the cylindrical outer housing; 
 ii. each baffle plate has a central opening through which the air supply hose extends; 
 
 d. a unitary weighted base that is physically separate from the cylindrical outer housing; and, 
 e. a bracket connected to the cylindrical outer housing and the weighted base. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted base is positioned at least two inches below the cylindrical outer housing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the air supply hose is at least one inch. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two baffle plates are aligned in the cylindrical outer housing in such a manner that the open flow path created by a first of the at least two baffle plates does not align with the open flow path created by another of the at least two baffle plates positioned immediately above or below the first baffle plate. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein there are four baffle plates. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the four baffle plates are vertically aligned in the cylindrical outer housing so that the open flow path created by each baffle plate is not aligned with the open flow path created by the other baffle plate or plates immediately above or below the baffle plate. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each baffle plate is secured to the cylindrical outer housing by at least three bolts. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the weighted base weighs at least 15 pounds. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the weighted base is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the air supply hose has an open end positioned just below a lowest of the four baffle plates, but wherein the open end of the air supply hose is positioned at least one inch above a lower end of the cylindrical outer housing. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for mixing a liquid in a container, the apparatus comprising:
 a. an elongated cylindrical outer housing having an open upper end and an open lower end; 
 b. four baffle plates connected to the cylindrical outer housing so that a primary surface area of each baffle plate is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical outer housing, wherein,
 i. each baffle plate has a semi-circular outer surface that is configured for connection to the cylindrical outer housing; and, 
 ii. a straight-cut outer surface that is not in contact with the cylindrical outer housing, with the result being an open flow path between the straight-cut outer surface of each baffle plate and the cylindrical outer housing; 
 
 c. an air supply hose positioned within a central opening in each baffle plate and secured to each baffle plate, wherein the air supply hose enters the apparatus through the open upper end of the cylindrical outer housing and terminates at a point near the open lower end of the cylindrical outer housing, but within the cylindrical outer housing; 
 d. a unitary weighted base that is physically separate from the cylindrical outer housing; and, 
 e. a bracket connected to the cylindrical outer housing and to the weighted base. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein each baffle plate is spaced at least three inches from every other baffle plate. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the air supply hose terminates at least one inch above the open lower end of the cylindrical outer housing.